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Liberia’s Vice President Receives ‘Excellence Award’ in London

Monrovia – Liberia’s Vice President and 2018 African Achievers Award  Honoree (Excellence in Leadership and Community Impact), Madam Jewel Howard Taylor, has heralded the transformative effects of investment in girls education- as a  catalyst to unlocking the growth and development possibilities across Africa and the developing world. Speaking at the Palace of Westminster in London Thursdays- at an event marking the recognition of leading personalities reshaping the narrative of development in Africa – under the aegis of the African Achievers Awards, Chief Jewel Howard-Taylor asserted that the pioneering contributions of women leaders around the world continue to create the platform for increased and productive women leadership in governance, business and leadership generally.

Amidst repeated applause, she reflected on the pioneering contributions of women leaders  globally “Each of them signifies the brilliance, determination, commitment and dedication women bring to the table when given the opportunity to lead.”  Women leaders of today, stand on the shoulders of others before them. The Liberian Vice President stressed.

The alarming figures of about 16 million girls languishing out of school in Africa, begs the question and such unique gathering of decision makers around varying fields from the continent must seize the moment to act where it matters most. This picture Madam Howard- Taylor opined, is a tragedy that must be tackled sooner rather than later.

 The former Liberian First lady and Senator of Bong Country in Central Liberia, has previously received several recognition at home and abroad, in honor of her unrelenting efforts in advancing what she emphasized is the enormous potential and    possibilities of women and girls- reminding the gathering at the House of Commons that   “In many  countries around Africa today, “girls just simply do not go to school: Simply because they’re girls”!

She reminded the forum that stories still abound of boys being given the upper hand ahead of girls in accessing education in Africa; noting that such deep-seated and unproductive cultural mindset,   robs society of the huge potential of tomorrow’s women leaders, wives and productive citizens and caregivers

Unravelling the unique context of African girls struggling to make it to school, Dr. Howard-Taylor reminded the gathering that there are certainly “Stella examples that demand, the girl child in Africa must not only be given the opportunity to go to school, but as well, must be given the chance to rise and soar in her chosen field; despite the deep cultural, economic and political circumstances afflicting them.

The Liberian Vice president challenged the audience to consider the multiplicity of benefits associated with reversing the current state of the Africa girl child.

Additionally, she affirmed that world is also missing out on the enormous potential for growth and development, by leaving behind girls. “The world is losing out on the potential and contributions of half of its population.” Citing the recent report of Africa Aid, Chief Howard-Taylor noted “that girl’s education leads to higher incomes, delayed marriages, fewer children, healthier families, reduced health risks and reduced poverty.”

 Recounting her twenty years endeavor to reshape the prospects of underprivileged girls, the Liberian Veep indicated that sometimes, such interventions are overwhelmed by the extent of the challenge; engendering the audience to adopt key policy and individually targeted contributions to confront the sad state of affairs regarding education for girls in Africa.

She named the elimination of extreme poverty in Africa: bringing down the barriers of biases around girls education; a celebration of women of excellence referencing the huge international influence of the African Achievers Award: as well as strengthening early childhood education.

 Madam Taylor also added that networking would eventually carve out and implement a new beginning for girls education across Africa; noting that changing the narrative for girls education has become a matter of urgency.

The 2018 edition of The Africa Achievers Award was by Chaired by Susan Fajana Thomas, Chairperson African Achievers Awards Board.

Other honorees of the night included Ghanaian business mogul Ibrahim Mahama, Industrialist of the Year. The leader of Nigeria’s Houses of Representative, Hon Femi Gbajabiamilaa, was recognized for his outstanding performance in the Nigerian legislature.

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